If you haven't received a photo or video on Snapchat with your friend in some ridiculous filter, then you’re probably not on Snapchat. If you’re not on snapchat, you probably have no idea what I’m talking about in the first place. Snapchat is a messaging and social media app that allows you to send photos and videos to your friends. The only catch: they only last ten seconds or less, then it’s gone. You have the options to send these photos and videos to specific other users, or put it on your “story” where anyone you are friends with can view it up to twenty four hours. Snapchat has some extra cool features as well. You can write comments on your images, place emojis wherever you’d like, draw, and put “filters” over your face for funny effects.
What do I mean? It looks a little bit like this:
These filters are all kinds of silly ways to express yourself. Some favorites include flower crowns, ones that turn you into bees, deer, and dogs, or a multitude of other insane things. One sort of filter that stands out though are those that are branded filters. These often have a movie or brand that they are promoting through an entertaining projection of yourself. These filters have proven to be a huge success for Snapchat and the brands, with a projected 1 Billion per year made by Snapchat from these advertisers.
I even took one of myself to show you guys:
I even took one of myself to show you guys:
Sometimes the filters are just plain weird, like this one that turns you into a taco. But that just adds to the amusement. Some are also interactive, like this one that you must open your mouth to work. When you get to be part of the advertisement, it becomes far more exciting.
It seems to be working well for Snapchat, but it’s hard to tell the effect it actually has for advertisers. Because filters are so minimal on product facts, it likely does little beyond getting your name out there, but even that is worth a lot in the marketing world. Regardless, I am sure that this is the direction that marketing will be heading in for years to come.
Because of course, filters are fun for the whole family:
Hi Nikala, I really loved reading your blog. I think you are so right about snapchat. Most of the time when I'm using the filter, I do pay attention to the brand that sponsored it, and I will usually associate that brand with whether or not I liked the filter. However, no matter what it is advertising. I also really liked how you commented on the fact that snapchat lets you interact with the advertising too, because I think that is really important. It is energizing the groundswell when it does that.
ReplyDeleteHi Nikala, thanks for your interesting post!
ReplyDeleteThough I did not use Snapchat before(after reading your article ,I downloaded it now),I am pretty familiar with these funny filters,because there are many camera apps in Asian adopting there funny filters, and after make a selfie or video with weird filters, I can share these to my friends in other social media like WeChat (like Snapchat in China ).
I have to say ,it is a super engaging way for everyone in everywhere, especially when I with some friends, it is just like a good game for us to be amused and also a good way to keep some memories in these photos or short videos.
Hi Nikala,
ReplyDeleteYour post is interesting. I had a time using Snapchat and I was crazy about its filter. One thing that I really admired Snapchat is that it made me wait until every midnight (bcuz it was the time new filter is updated) Now, there are some applications with different filters, like Snow (you can try this app) but I do not think it is as fun as Sanpchat.
Hi Nikala,
ReplyDeleteInteresting topic! I love these filters, in fact, except for snapchat, I also downloaded many apps which can put on different filters. Sometimes these apps are just so easy to light my day! I think maybe it is a popular trend or the core idea in social media: not difficult to handle, but brings much joy.
Nikala,
ReplyDeleteNice job covering this. Snapchat clearly has found a great way to let advertising into their app while also remaining consistent to their user base. The filters are a fun way to talk to friends and even if there is a company logo in the corner people don't seem to mind. It doesn't hinder the quality of the app in anyway and isn't annoying like a pop-up add. If anything it adds to the funny and random aspect of the filters which users already seem to enjoy.
Hi Nikala,
ReplyDeleteLOL, I used this app before, because my sisters took many photos with me using it. This is really an excellent example of word of mouth.
When we with our families or friends, people can have fun by taking photos on Snapchat.
Thank you for sharing this!
Great post, Nikala! This was a fun blog to read and I love all of your snap chat examples. Snap chat is one of my favorite social media platforms, the filters are fun and it is a great way for companies to market.
ReplyDelete